Application Strategies : The 49ers: Statistics and Success

From OnBoard - Newsletter of the BCG
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Debbie Mieszala, "The 49ers: Statistics and Success ," OnBoard 15 (January 2009): 6-7.

Perhaps calling them 49ers is a misnomer. They are forty-nine of fifty persons who attained board certification between October 2005 and October 2008. Unlike their namesakes, they did not throw caution to the wind, stake a claim, and hope to succeed through good fortune and manual labor. Instead, statistics show they thoughtfully worked toward a goal with less focus on material wealth than intrinsic value, their labor more cerebral than physical. In the end, there are parallels. They are pioneers who hoped to attain what few have achieved; the gold found is precious indeed.

For the past three years I have contacted newly certified individuals asking for biographical tidbits to use in press releases. Releases are written and sent to newspapers or organizations of the participant’s choice. Smaller announcements are sent to the APG and BCG mailing lists.

Participants answer questions with different levels of detail; therefore some statistical information will be incomplete. But patterns have emerged in their responses, showing preparation and focus. Their examples might be helpful to those interested in certification. This is not the commentary of a judge reviewing portfolio content; instead these are observations by a fellow associate based on what those who succeed report about themselves. Forty-nine lessons. Number fifty chose not to participate despite notable achievements.

The questions—my search for gold

Each certificant is asked to supply the following: full name; residence; occupation, employer, general education and degrees; genealogy specific education, activities, and accomplishments (for example, publications, articles, classes taught); personal contact information to share with a newspaper; local newspaper name and contact information; and permission to post a short introductory blurb to the BCG and APG mailing lists. Of these, education and genealogy specific education, activities, and accomplishments will be analyzed. They demonstrate learning and sharing knowledge.

General education

Forty-five of the forty-nine respondents indicated college attendance. College experience ran from coursework to doctoral degrees, with many earning multiple degrees. Higher education was a common theme, but not a given. Four did not report any college. This could mean they did not attend college, or did not feel it worth mention.

Genealogy specific education

In my opinion, this is potentially the most underreported category. Some mentioned attendance at numerous institutes and local conferences. Twelve, or approximately one-quarter, mentioned taking the NGS home study course. Others did not note any. Perhaps they did not think the genealogy education they gave themselves was impressive enough to merit mention. It helped them attain their goals and is important.

Institute attendance was popular, with several attending multiple institutes. Of the forty-nine, thirteen mentioned attending the National Institute on Genealogical Research, seventeen noted attendance at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, eight attended the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, another six mentioned attending the Virginia Institute of Genealogical Research or unspecified institutes. That is a minimum of forty-four institutes attended amongst the forty-nine. Those who mentioned multiple visits to the same institute were counted once in that category.

Two respondents said they took genealogy courses at or through Brigham Young University. Three took continuing education genealogy courses, details of which were not specified.

Conferences offer another educational opportunity, and this group took advantage of them. Ten reported attending national or international conferences. Eight mentioned regional, state, or local conferences.

Education summary

The 49ers are an educated group, the majority with some college attendance. Genealogy specific learning through courses, institutes, and conferences helped them develop as genealogists. Seventy-nine genealogy specific education opportunities were counted. It is likely this number is low due to underreporting and the fact that multiple attendances at the same institute were counted just once per person.

What they do with what they know: working and volunteering

Twenty-seven reported a job specific or related to genealogy. They include twenty professional genealogists, four Family History Library staff members, one historian, one genealogy librarian, and a private investigator. Professional work was not necessarily a motivating factor toward certification for each of the forty-nine, although over half work as genealogists or in an associated field.

Service to the genealogy community comes in many forms. Notably, twenty-eight reported past or current work on a board or other society leadership role. Eight volunteered at historical societies, libraries, archives, or for humanitarian organizations. Three volunteered at Family History Centers, including one FHC Director. Eight mentioned Association of Professional Genealogists involvement.

Sharing knowledge

This is a sharing group!

Thirty-one of the 49ers reported editing, publishing, compiling, or authoring articles or books. Four reported a book or compilation in the works. Writing is a recognized way to summarize and share findings, and identify inadequacies in research. The process has certainly been utilized by the majority of the forty-nine.

Thirty-eight teaching experiences were mentioned. Of those, seventeen individuals have taught genealogy courses and twenty-one have presented lectures.

Summary of what they do with what they know

Twenty-seven of the forty-nine had genealogy related jobs, putting them in the slight majority. Over half reported working on a society board or were heavily involved with society work. A number volunteered at libraries, historical societies, Family History Centers, or archives. Writing and related activities were very popular. Other ways they shared knowledge were through teaching and lecturing.

Conclusion

These 49ers did not stake claims willy-nilly. They carefully staked their claims through education, both general and genealogy specific. They envisioned a goal, understood it might bear gold, and were persistent. They gave to the genealogy community by volunteering, teaching, lecturing, and writing. As they wrote, they learned to summarize findings and recognize unwanted holes in their gold pans. Our 49ers came out richer in the end. Perhaps through observation and emulation of their habits, others might find gold nuggets too.

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